FUNCTIONAL FOODS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT DO GRADUATES SAY...

What are the most helpful Leaving Certificate subjects for
this course?
Biology and Chemistry
If I am not doing any of the recommended subjects in the
Leaving Certificate, can I still apply for this course?
Yes, the core fundamentals are delivered in Year 1 as we
assume that students have not taken these subjects.
“I am currently studying for a Masters in Computational
Biology. Although this course specialises in the science of
herbs and natural products it offers a broad range of subjects
that can be applied to other fields of science.
My degree has prepared me for the work involved in my MSc,
and I also have the opportunity to include herbs in my thesis.
I cannot recommend this course highly enough, the skills
and knowledge learned are very valuable.”

HEALTHCARE
What are the typical student numbers in first year?
There are 20 places allocated to this programme. Niamh O’Brien, Graduate
Encouragement is given to non-standard applicants
including mature students. “I really enjoyed the broad range of subjects studied on NATURAL PRODUCTS
the Herbal Science degree, from Botany to Biochemistry.
PLANT PRODUCTION

Is there work placement in Ireland or abroad during the
course?
There is a mandatory work placement in year 3 lasting a
minimum of ten weeks. Students have the option of taking
their placement in Ireland or abroad through the Erasmus
RESEARCH
However, what really helped me was the emphasis on
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Product and Process
Development. It was here that I got a taste for business from
which I have now set up my own company making and
selling natural cosmetics.

Scheme (Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden,
UK, etc.).
When I graduate, will I be based in a lab?
Graduates can work in a variety of settings from growing
herbs and extracting natural products to manufacturing
and production in a range of industries (cosmetic,
biopharmaceutical, food, etc).
BIOPHARMACEUTICAL
This degree has prepared me in many ways to run my
business, from selecting appropriate herbs, to researching
their benefits and creating a suitable manufacturing
environment.”
Tracey Ryan, Graduate

You can choose to work in a lab undertaking research and

product development for quality control. You can also make
other choices based on the modules covered in this course
for a wide variety of career options.

Where can I find more information for the modules for this For the HERBAL SCIENCE programme:
course?
CIT has developed a website http://modules.cit.ie which ENQUIRIES TO
gives full details of all modules for all courses. The website
also has information on recommended textbooks, average DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
weekly workload, assessments, and exams. Further Anna-Maria Keaveney
information can also be found on the department website T: 021 433 5402
www.cit.ie/biology. E: anna-maria.keaveney@cit.ie
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
(HONOURS)
Germain Levieille
T: 021 433 5481
E: germain.levieille@cit.ie
IN HERBAL SCIENCE
www.cit.ie Course Code CR 330
 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in
This HERBAL SCIENCE programme Herbal Science
WHAT IS HERBAL SCIENCE?
concentrates on the science of:
It’s the Science of Herbal Medicinal Products, Functional COURSE PROGRAMME
Foods and Natural Products applied to Healthcare and Herbal and Natural Products for medicinal, healthcare
Medicine. and cosmetic purposes http://modules.cit.ie
Horticulture / Agronomics
The programme is focused on the production, Nutrition / Nutraceuticals / Food Science YEAR ONE

characterisation and applications of herbal extracts and Semester 1 (Sept – Dec) Semester 2 (Feb – May)
Human Anatomy and Physiology Greenhouses, Soils and Media
natural products. The herbal extracts and natural products Detailed theory and practical studies in the following areas Botany Anatomy/Physiology of the Cell
are used as ingredients in the medicinal, pharmaceutical, underpin the above fields of applications: Laboratory Practice Microbes, Enzymes & Energy
cosmetic and food industries. Essential Mathematical Skills Heat & Light
Creativity Innovation & Teamwork Biological Chemistry 2
Human anatomy and physiology Biological Chemistry 1 Science of Food & Health*
Herbal extracts you may be familiar with include chamomile, Chemistry / Biochemistry / Pharmacology Biocomputing*
sage or lavender used in cosmetics and shampoos or Microbiology / Plant Biotechnology
Echinacea or Ginkgo as medicinal products sold in health A wide range of analytical skills including laboratory
shops and pharmacies. Again, many will also be familiar with techniques, Immuno-analysis, Bio-analytical techniques YEAR TWO
functional foods such as blueberries, cooked tomatoes and and Molecular Techniques Semester 3 (Sept – Dec) Semester 4 (Feb – May)
probiotics with their added health benefits. Plant Propagation Organic and Biodynamic Horticulture
Principles of Nutrition Nutritional Analysis
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Natural Products Bioanalytical Techniques
The Herbal Science course is structured along module Immunoanalysis Intro to Quality Systems
streams where the student builds knowledge in the areas Structural Biochemistry Metabolic Biochemistry
of plant science and production, human biology, food and Graduates can expect to work in a variety of sectors Microbial Diversity* Bacteriology*
including: Biological Chemistry 3*
nutrition, and herb and natural product applications.
Healthcare / Cosmetic Industry
The specific biological subjects are supported by more Food Industry / Nutraceutical Industry
general analytical techniques important for laboratory and Biopharmaceutical Industry YEAR THREE

research. Foundation skills across a broad range of core Quality Control / Analysis Semester 5 (Sept – Dec) Semester 6 (Feb – May)
Medicinal Plant Production Plant Biotechnology Principles of Ethnobotany
science subjects provide a sound basis on which to build Nutrition & Population Health Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry
specialist knowledge offering a wide range of opportunities in Food & Healthcare Chemistry Chemistry of Essential Oils
industry, in research or in business development. And following further study: Pharmacology Herbal Science Placement
Dietician Applied Enzymology Food & Healthcare Toxicology*
Teaching Food & Healthcare Microbiology*

FURTHER STUDIES Nursing / Veterinary Nursing

Clinical Herbal Medicine
Suitably qualified graduates may progress to gain academic Organic Horticulture YEAR FOUR
qualifications in a number of areas which include plant Semester 7 (Sept – Dec) Semester 8 (Feb – May)
science, pharmacy, ethnobotany, microbiology, and www.cit.ie/course/CR330 Clinical Nutrition Herbal Pharmacy
Applied Separation Technology Evidence Based Practice
pharmacognosy at Master’s and Doctoral level. www.cit.ie/biology
Project Research Phase Project - Implementation Phase
Research Skills Product & Process Development
Reg. Affairs & Compliance Bioinformatics
The programme provides the educational foundation Bio-manufacturing Science*
necessary for a career as a Medical Herbalist. Further
specialised post-graduate training accredited by the
professional body will be required and the professional body * Elective module
should be contacted directly for more detailed information.